A Casa Museum

São Paulo, Brazil

Project Info

A Casa Museum

São Paulo, Brazil

Completion Date: 2014
Square Footage: 11,733 SF

A Casa Museum in Sao Paulo is located on a corner lot. The height difference between the intersecting streets surrounding the museum is equivalent to an ordinary building floor to floor height. The design takes advantage of this condition, allowing flexibility in program and circulation. The upper floor, which is accessed by Tamanás street, features the double height exhibition space. The ground floor, connected to Pedroso de Moraes Avenue, is a rental space for events, an important source of income for the museum. The event space is open to a private garden that provides natural light.

A retractable stair works as a “door” between the two levels. When it is lowered it allows the passage from one level to another, and when it is lifted, it is parallel to the ground floor ceiling.

The landscape design extends the limits of the site to an adjacent open area creating a new “square” for the neighborhood and redeveloping the existing one. An external staircase makes up the height difference between the streets and also serves as a bench for resting or a stand for artistic performances.